Best pickleball sets - top 6 picks for 2024

Looking for the best pickleball set to get you started in 2024? Pickleball sets give you everything you need to play pickleball and are a great way to kickstart your journey in the sport. They also make ideal gifts if you're shopping for a fellow beginner.

I've compiled a list of the best pickleball sets across a range of categories. My goal is to do the research for you, personally testing each of these sets. I scored them across power, control, spin, forgiveness, value, and more to help you separate the junk from the quality sets.

Take a look at my list of the top pickleball sets in 2024 below:

Why you can trust Pickleheads: I spend hours testing every product and service I review, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Learn more about how I test.

Want a deeper dive into my top picks? Read on to see why I rate each of these sets so highly.

Choosing a pickleball paddle can be a big decision and the same goes for sets. It's one of the most important ones you'll make when starting out in pickleball. It's an important choice, so I considered the following criteria to rank my list:

I also read through hundreds of reviews across top sets available on Amazon, Pickleball Central, and manufacturer websites to figure out what sets people love the most. Most importantly, the Pickleheads team and I personally play with and test every paddle set on this list.

When looking for a complete pickleball set, there are a few factors to take into consideration:

The overall build quality of pickleball paddles can vary greatly, even among paddles that appear similar. Low-quality paddles will degrade more quickly and might suffer from defects like dead spots or improperly secured components.

You can avoid getting stuck with low-quality gear by buying from reputable manufacturers.

The materials used in pickleball sets greatly affect how they'll feel when you're playing. This is particularly true of paddles.

Most modern paddles have a polymer honeycomb core, and their faces (the striking surface) are made from a variety of different materials, like graphite and carbon. Carbon fiber pickleball paddles are growing in popularity and are often of higher quality.

Graphite is often considered to have more "pop", while fiberglass is more lightweight and maneuverable. Older or cheaper paddles may be made from wood, which tends to be heavier and less effective.

Bang for your buck matters and accessories add up. Aside from paddles and/or a net, pickleball sets usually include a few pickleball balls. The more included, the better the value.

Bundles may also include paddle covers or a carrying bag, which adds more value and convenience. Some have further add-ons, like replacement grip tape or line chalk.

Pickleball paddles can weigh anywhere from 6-14 oz, and the weight greatly affects your playing experience.

Heavier paddles will make it easier to hit the ball powerfully, but they’re also less agile. Of course, they’ll also cause fatigue more quickly, and they may worsen joint problems.

Lighter paddles are better for finesse, control, and pinpoint accuracy. Most of the paddles in this list weigh from 7.5-8 oz, which most players will prefer. They're light, but not too light.

Pickleball paddles that are USA Pickleball-compliant fall within a set of standard guidelines. For example, their length cannot exceed 17". Also, the paddle’s total surface area cannot exceed 24²", including the butt cap and edge guard.

USA Pickleball-certified paddles also undergo testing for design features that might create an unfair advantage, like a non-flat striking surface or using a non-rigid surface material.

Using compliant paddles means everyone is playing fairly. It’s also usually a requirement for playing in tournaments.

Since most pickleball players bring their gear from home, having everything in a neatly portable package makes a difference.

This is particularly true for pickleball nets, with the best of them being lightweight, easy to set up, and easy to pack. The best portable pickleball net sets will come with a sturdy bag for easy transportation.

Pickleball paddle sets sometimes come with a bag as well, which is great for convenience. This allows you to stow away a few paddles, some balls, and other personal accessories in one bag that you can carry to the court.

Most pickleball gear is fine to use both indoors and outdoors, but it’s always good to find equipment that can withstand the elements. This is especially true in the case of nets.

Some people prefer to leave their nets up and outside for long periods of time. For many pickleball nets, that won’t be a problem at all.

However, others might not stand up to harsh sunlight or rain and may degrade or mildew. Pickleballs also come in indoor and outdoor varieties. For casual play, you can use either interchangeably, but it’s nice to have access to both.

Quality pickleball gear is generally fairly priced and accessible. That’s a big reason why the sport is such a hit.

Passionate players can splurge on professional-level gear, but there's nothing wrong with using quality affordable equipment.

People who buy pickleball sets are often newer players who want to try the sport with friends or family, or are outfitting a local club or school group. In these cases, getting good value for money is even more important.

Common items featured in a pickleball set include:

Complete pickleball sets offer everything you need to play a game of pickleball: paddles, balls, and sometimes a net. Complete sets also commonly offer useful accessories, like a carrying case.

A pickleball paddle set is any set with more than one pickleball paddle, but no balls, nets, or accessories. These are usually sets with two pickleball paddles, offering the most important gear without all the extras.

That's my list of the top six pickleball sets in 2024. For me, the SLK NEO 2.0 stands out above the rest for its combination of excellent on-court performance and affordable price tag.

To recap, here are my top six again:

My new picks are in and my new favorite overall pickleball set is the SLK NEO 2.0, replacing the PCKL Starter Bundle. As time goes on, it continues to impress me. While it might not have the same tech as a Selkirk LUXX, you can tell it comes from the same designers.

I've introduced a few new sets, including the GoSports GS1 (one of my favorite cheap pickleball paddles), the VENUX set, the Helium Element, and the Litakon set. I've kept the Recess set because they're still some of the best-looking paddles on the market.

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